Means for ironing or pressing garments, hosiery, woven, knitted, or other goods



March 19, 1935. CLARE 1,995,093

- MEANS FOR IRONING OR PRESSING GARMENTS, HOSIERY,

WOVEN, KNITTED, OR OTHER GOODS Filed March 29, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l \NVENTOR 1,995,093 HOSIERY,

F. CLARE March 19, 1935.

MEANS FOR IRONING OR PRESSING GARMENTS WOVEN, KNITTED, OR OTHER GOODS Filed March 29, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WV u wax NYENTOR; J nene/J vzfa R flftartifj Patented Mar. 19, 1935 UNITED s'rArss MEANS FOR IRONING "R PRESSING GAR- MENTS, HOSEERY, NQVEN', KNITTED, OR

OTHER GOODS Francis Clare, London, England, assign'oro'f onehaif to Henry William Elliott, London, England Application March 29, 1934, Serial No. 713,044; In Great Britain April 19, 1933 1'7 Claims.

This invention relates to -means for ironing or pressing garments, hosiery, woven, knitted or other textile goods.

In the usual form of ironing or pressing macl'dne heat is supplied thereto by steamwhich is led through conduits provided in one or both of the members between which are interposed the garments or other articles to be ironed or pressed. Owing, however, to the steam producing and other auxiliary equipment which is nec essary with machines of this character, the initial outlay and upkeep expenses involved are large and the chief object of the present invention is to provide an improved form of ironing or pressing means which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and by which operating and maintenance expenses are reduced to a minimum.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, the

will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, diagrammatically and by way of example, one convenient mode of carrying the invention into effect and in which:-

Figure 1 is a front view, half in section, of a press incorporating a pair or relatively movable hot plates;

Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the press illustrated in Figure 1;

; Figure 3 is a fragmentary view looking on the rear side of the press shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a side elevation of thepress showing the hot plates separated; V

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a modification; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view to a larger scale of the hot plates shown inFigs. 1 and'2.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, 1 is the base or pedestal'by which the various elements of the press are carried and 2 is a foot lever which is pivoted to the pedestal at 3 and which, when depressed by the operator, is adapted to cause the hot plates or pressing members to approach one another. In the arrang'ement illustrated, each pressing member is made up of a pair of spaced metallic plates 5 and 6 between which are accommodated one or more electric heating elements so that they are suitably insulated therefrom. The upper pressing member is carried by, and suitably secured at its rear edge to, asupporting column 'lwhilst the lower pressing member carried by, and similarly secured to, another supporting column indicated swarm of which columns are arranged so that their lower ends are slidablevvertically in the pedestal '1. The aforesaid columns are also so arranged that they are capable of being moved vertically in opposite directions. For this purpose, they may be disposed on opposite 5 sides of a pinion journalled in the upper pore tion of the said pedestal and to each of the op: posed faces o-fthe supporting columns 7 and 8 there may be secured a toothed rack 11, thearrangementbeing such that rotation of the pinion lfl is adapted to cause opposite movements of the two supporting columns and the pressing members carried thereby. Rotation of the pinion 10 may be effected through the medium of a further rack and. pinion arrangement comprising a toothed rack 12 having its lower end appropriately secured to the foot lever 2 and a pinion 13 suitably secured to or formed integral with the pinion 10. Preferably, a spring 14 or other suitable means is provided so that the two hot plates or pressing members are normally held separated as shown in Figured. By thisarrangemerit, when the operator depresses the foot lever 2,-the pinions 10 and 13 are rotated to cause the supporting column '7 carrying the'upper hot plate to move downwardly and the supporting column 8 carrying the lower hot plate to move upwardly and, due to the spring 14, the said plates or pressing members can 'only bemaintained in their pressing or ironing position so long pressure is applied to the foot lever. In this manner, the

possibility of scorchingor damageto the articles in the press due to an operator leaving 'a press unattended is obviated and, if the plates are arranged so that they are in equilibrium or coun- 3 terbalanced in their separated position, the effort required to: close the press. is reduced to a minimum. -The upper and lower plates or pressing members are provided with protecting covers of insulating material as shown at 16 and 17 and, in order properly to guide the movements of the upperplate and to prevent same tilting, the sup: porting column 7 is provided on its rear face with a vertical guiding rib 18 which adapted to slide in asuitable slot 19 formed in'the adjacent por tion or the upper end of the pedestal 1.

7 Means'may also be provided for limiting the extent to which the hot plates may becaused to approach one anotherand, for this purpose, the supporting column '7 may be provided with a vertically disposed plate adjusting screw 20 which, in the lowermostposition of the upper hot plate, is adapted to abut the stop or bracket 21 carried by the pedestal l or other suitable stationary part of the apparatus. "Bythe displace- 55.

ment of this screw, the extent of the downward movement of the upper hot plate can be adjusted to suit the thickness of the articles to be ironed or pressed.

The device is also equipped with a horizontally movable tray upon which the articles or garments to be ironed or pressed may be placed. The tray consists of a plate 24 formed with a series of openings or perforations 25 and covered on the upper and lower surfaces thereof with wire gauze sheets'26 and 27. At its front edge the tray is provided with a handrail 28 whilst the side'edges are provided with side rails 29 slidably mounted in a pair of supporting arms 30 suitably arranged one at each side of the apparatus. The supporting arms 30 are carried bya pillar 32 or other suitable stationary part of the apparatus. 'By this arrangement, the garments or other articles to be ironed or pressed may be placed in position upon the tray whilst the latter is in the extended or withdrawn position shown in Figure 4 and the tray with'the articles in position thereon may then be slid into position between the two separated hot plates which may then be closed, as shown in Figure 2, by depressing the foot lever 2. In some instances, the foot lever may, if desired, be dispensed with and the hot plates or pressing members may be caused to approach one another by the movement of the horizontally movable tray 24, in bringing the articles or garments into position between the pressing members. For instance, the upper and lower hot plates or pressing members may be interconnected by a linkwork comprising a pair of bell crank levers 34, 35 (Figure 5) pivoted at 36 and 360., the arrangement being such that the rear end of the tray is adapted, towards the end of its forward movement, to engage the free ends of the bell crank levers so that the levers are turned about their pivots and the pressing members are caused .to move towards one another by the amount necessary to close the press.

When ironing or pressing garments or other articles, it is usually desirable that they shall be in a damp or moist condition or that provisions bemade for subjecting the same tothe action of steam. Accordingly, means are preferably provided for moistening, dampening, or steaming the articles during the pressing operation. For this purpose, a pair 'of dampening screens may be interposed between the hot plates and the garments or the like so that one is disposed between the upper pressing member and the upper surface of the garments or other articles whilst the other is disposed between the lower pressing member and the horizontal tray 24. The lower screen 38 is provided to afford a supply of moisture beneath the garments so that the steam generated will pass upwardly and through the articles being pressed. If only an upper screen'is employedthere is a tendency for the steam produced to' escape without doing useful work on the articles under treatment and the purpose of the lower screen is toensure an adequate supply of steam from below. In the arrangement illustrated, the screens are indicatedat 37 and 38 and are arranged so that they are wound around and their rear .ends are secured to a 7 roller 39 journalled in bearings carried by the pillar 32 or other suitable stationary parts of the apparatus. At its upper end the pillar 32 is formedwith a water trough in-connected by a conduit 41 with a suitable form of water regu lating tank 42 which is in turn connected by a pipe 43 with a source of water supply so that a predetermined level of water is maintained in the said trough. The roller 39 is arrangedso that the lower portion thereof is immersed in the water in the trough. The forward ends or edges of the screens37 and 38 maybe sectued by cords 50 passing around rollers 60 carried by the supporting arms 30 and appropriately secured to the horizontally movable tray 24 in such a manner that upon movement of the tray into position between the hot plates or pressing members, the screens are unwound from the roller 39 and are positioned one between the upper plate and the garments or the like and other between the lower plate and the tray. Each of the hot plates or pressing members and the horizontally movable tray is formed, over the major portion of its surface, with a large number of openings or perforations so that the steam generated during the ironing or pressing operation can pass there- I through and be brought into contact with the articles being pressed. Also suitable recesses 44 are preferably provided in the protecting covers 16 and 17 for the collection of the steam produced. The roller 39 is preferably surmounted by a squeezing roller 45 adapted to squeeze out excess water contained in the screens as they are unwound from the roller 39 preparatory to being placed in position adjacent the articles to be pressed and an adjusting screw 46 is preferably provided for enabling the pressure between the two rollers to be varied so that the amount of moisture supplied can be adjusted to suit the articles being pressed. Adjacent the point at which the screens 37 and 38 emerge from between the rollers 39 and 45, a damper cloth separator 48 is provided so as to separate the two screens and to guide same into their respective positions over and under the movable tray 24. When the pressing operation has been completed and the press is opened, the tray may be withdrawn and in order that the screens may be returned to the water trough for re-moistening, the roller 39 is preferably provided with a spring 61 or other suitable means for rewinding the screens 37 and 38 upon the roller as the tray is withdrawn from between the two hot plates or pressing members.

The pedestal 1 may also be provided with a suitable form of electric control box 52 for the accommodation of electric fuses, regulators, switches or the like and a thermostat'device 62 may also, if desired, be fitted so that it is adapted to disconnect the hot plates from the source of electric supply as soon as the temperature rises above a predetermined value and to reconnect the hot plates in circuit when the temperature falls below a predetermined value.

It will be appreciated'that the invention is not restricted to the constructional details above described and that many modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains. Also, such changes may be made, without departing from the spirit of the invention, as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new therein and desire to. secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Means for ironing or pressing garments, hosiery, woven, knitted or other textile goods, comprising a pair of relatively movable pressing members at least one of which is equipped with electric heating means, means for moving the press ing members towards and away fromone another, a horizontally movable tray upon which'the articles or garments to be pressed may be placed and which is adapted to be moved into position between the pressing members, a dampening screen adapted to be interposed between the garments or other articles and one of the pressing members during the pressing operation, and

means operable by the horizontally movable tray for moving the dampening screen into and out of operative position.

2. Means for pressing or ironing garments, hosiery woven, knitted or other textile goods, comprising a pair of relatively movable pressing members at least one of which is provided with electric heating means, a horizontally movable tray upon which the garments or other articles to be ironed or pressed may be placed and which is adapted to he slid into position between the pressing members, and means operable by the tray as it moves into the pressing position for causing the pressing members to approach one another.

3. Means for ironing or pressing garments, hosiery, woven, knitted or other textile goods, comprising a pair of vertically movable pressing members at least one of which is equipped with electric heating means, means for causing said pressing members to move in opposite directions so as to approach one another when an ironing or pressing operation is to be effected and to move apart when the operation has been completed, a horizontally movable tray upon which the articles or garments to be pressed can be placed and which is adapted to be moved into position between the pressing members, and means operable by the tray asit moves into the pressing position for causing the pressing members to approach one another.

4. Means for ironing or pressing garments, hosiery, woven, knitted or other textile goods,

comprising a pair of vertically movable pressing members at least one of which is equipped with electric heating means, means for causing the pressing members to move in opposite directions so as to approach one another when an ironing or pressing operation is to be effected and to move apart when the operation has been completed, a horizontally movable tray upon which the articles or garments to be pressed may be placed and which is adapted to be moved into position between the pressing members, a dampening screen adapted to be interposed between the garments or other articles and one of the pressing members during the pressing operation, and means operable by the. horizontally movable tray for moving the dampening screen into and out of operative position.

5. Means for ironing or pressing garments, hosiery, woven, knitted or other textile goods, comprising a pair of vertically movable pressing members arranged and mounted so that they are normally in equilibrium when separated at least one of said pressing members being equipped with electric heating means, means for displacing the pressing members to cause them to approach one another, a horizontally movable tray upon which articles or garments to be pressed may be placed and which is adapted to be moved into position between the pressing members, a dampening screen adapted to be interposed between the garments or other articles and one of the pressing members during the pressing operation, and means operable by the horizontally movable tray for moving the dampening screen into and out of operative position.

6. Means for ironing orv pressing garments, hosiery, woven, knitted or other textile goods; comprising 'apair of vertically movable pressing members arranged and mounted so that they are normally in equilibrium when separated, atleast, one of'said pressing members being equipped with electric heating means, means for displacing the pressing members to cause them to approach one another, a horizontally movable tray uponwhich articles or garments to be pressed'may be placed and which is adapted to be slid into position between the pressing members, andmeans operable by theztray as it moves into the pressing positions for effecting the operation of the means for causing the pressing members to approach one another.. W t v 7. Means for ironing or pressing garments, hosiery, woven, knitted or other textile goods, comprising a pair of relatively movable pressing members at least one of which is equipped with electric heating means, means for moving the pressing members towards and away'irom one another, a horizontally movable tray upon which articles or garments to be pressed may be placed and which is adapted to bemoved into position between the pressing members, a dampening screen adapted to be interposed between the garments or other articles and one of the pressing members during the pressing operation, and adjustable means for limiting the extent to which the pressing members may be caused to move towards one another. 1

8. Means for pressing or ironing garments, hosiery, woven, knitted or other textile goods, comprising a pair of relatively movable pressing members at least one of which is provided with electric heating means, a horizontally movable tray upon which the garments or other articles to be ironed or pressed may be placed and'which is adapted to be slid into position between the pressing members, means operable by the tray as it moves into the pressing position for causing the pressing members to approach one another and adjustable means for limiting the movement of the pressing members toward one another.

9. Means for pressing or ironing garments, hosiery, woven, knitted or othertextile goods, comprising a pair of vertically movable pressing members at least one of which is'equipped with electric heating means, said pressing members being carried by a pair of verticallymovable supporting columns, means for enabling said columns the pressing porting columns, means for enabling said columns to be moved in opposite directions to cause the pressing members to be moved towards and away from one another, a horizontally movable tray upon which articles or garments to be pressed can be placed and which is mounted so that it can be moved into position between the pressing members, and a dampening screen adapted to be interposed between the garments or other articles and one of the pressing members during thepressing operation. I

11. Means for ironing or pressing garments,

hosiery, woven, knitted or other textile goods,"

comprising a pair of vertically movable pressing members at, least one of which is equipped with electric heating means, said pressing members being carried by a pair of vertically movable supporting columns, racks provided upon said columns, and engaging opposite sides ofa common operating pinion, means for rotating said pinion to cause the pressing members to be moved in opposite directionsand a horizontally movable tray'upon which articles or garments to be pressed can be placed and which is adapted to be moved into position between the pressing members.

12. Means" for pressing or ironing garments, hosiery, woven, knitted or other textile goods, comprising a pair of vertically movable pressing members at least one of which is equipped with electric heating means, said pressing members porting columns, toothed racks provided upon said columns, means cooperating with said racks to cause the pressing members to move in opposite directions, a horizontally movable tray upon which articles or garments to be pressed can be placed and which is adapted to be moved into position between thepressing members, a dampening screen adapted to be interposed between the garments or other articles and one of the pressing members during the pressing operation, and means operable by the horizontally movable tray for moving the dampening screen into and out of operative position.

13. Means for ironing or pressing garments, hosiery,'woven, knitted or other textile goods,comprising a pair of relatively movable pressing members provided with a series of perforations and at least one of which is equipped with electric heating means, means for moving the pressing members towards and away from one another, a horizontally movable tray upon which articles or garments to be pressed can be placed and which is adapted to, be moved into position between the pressing members, anda dampening screen adapted to be interposed between the garments or other articles and one of the pressing members during the pressing operation.

14,- Means for ironing or pressing garments, hosiery, woven, knitted or other textile goods, comprising a pair of relativelyimovable pressing members provided with a series of perforations and at least one of which is equipped with elec- 15. Means for ironing or pressing garments,

hosiery, woven, knitted or other textile goods, comprising a pair of relatively movable pressing members provided with a series of perforations and at least one of which is equipped with electric heating means, means for moving the pressing members towards and away from one another, a garment supporting member in the form of a horizontally movable tray which is also provided with a series of perforations and which is adapted to be moved into position between the pressing members, and a dampening screen adapted to be interposed between the garments and one of the pressing members during the pressingcoperation.

16. Means for ironing or pressing garments, hosiery woven, knitted or other textile goods, comprising a pair of relatively movable pressing members at least one'of. which is equipped with electric heating means, means for moving the pressing members towards and away from one another, a garment supporting member in the form of a horizontally movable tray which is adapted to be moved into position between the pressing members, and a pair of dampening screens which, in the open position of the press, are wound around a roller and which, when the horizontally movable tray is'placed in position between the pressing members, are unwound from the roller and disposed on opposite sides of the tray withthe garments to be-pressed in position thereon.

17, Means for ironing'or pressing garments, hosiery, woven, knitted or other textile goods, comprising a pair of relatively movable pressing members, provided with a series of perforations and at least one of which is equipped with electric heating means, means for moving the pressing members towards and away from one another, a horizontally movable tray upon which articles or garments to be pressed can be placed and which is adapted to be moved into positionbetween the pressing members, one or more dampening screens, and protecting covers for the pressing members, said covers being formed with recesses for the collection of the steam produced.

FRANCIS CLARE. 

